Ghost Blogging - Seriously?

I came across the ghost blogging debate the other day and I'm not talking about the supernatural kind. I'm talking about people who hire other people to write their blog content on their behalf. And it is perfectly legal. My initial reaction was, 'you have got to be kidding me.' As an aspiring writer, I cannot fathom the idea of asking someone else to write my posts for me, no matter how bad they can be. And frankly, it never even crossed my mind until I crawled out from under my rock and stumbled across the online debates. 

But if I can accept the idea of a ghostwriter, (even though I don't like it) then why do I have such a problem with ghost blogging? Well, part of it is because I tend to think of blogs as more personal, almost like I could pick up the phone and call. The commentary, personal accounts, and comments all contribute to building trust between blogger and reader. After a while, a connection is created when readers can relate to the fears and insecurities, triumphs and letdowns of their fellow blogger. Eventually, they may even become emotionally invested. You don't build that kind of connection to the author by just reading their book. If I ever found out that one of my blogging buddies hired a ghost writer, I'd feel disappointed and misled. Not to mention I'd lose trust in them as a writer and fellow blogger.  

But what if I give a different example, say the CEO of a large corporation? Say this CEO wants to maintain a certain proximity with her employees by publishing an article to their online newsletter once every couple of months. She gives her secretary the main points she wants to make and lets him do all the rest. Is that okay? It doesn't feel as bad, but I'd still feel misled if I were to find out. 

So where do we draw the line? What do you think about ghost blogging? And are there times you think it's acceptable? 

NOT Hungry for Hunger Games - the Movie.

!!!Spoiler Alert!!! (SA) This post contains spoilers about the books and trailers for Hunger Games. If you haven't read the books stop HERE or be spoiled (;

Now, before I get booed off the blogosphere for my pic and post title, let me say I read the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (in 2 days) and LOVED it....and hated it. But I still gave it 4 our of 5 stars.

Let me expalin. I enjoy adventure/sci-fi/ fantasy/paranormal stuff. Everything from books, stories, movies, manga, comics, and just about anything with superheroes in it. I also don't mind things getting a little violent nor do I mind some bad language, just as long as it makes sense and adds to the story. However, you will not see me fangirling over anything about zombies *shudders* or tragic storylines where animals or loved ones all die at the end. I'm still not over Charlotte's Web... (;

So why did I read the Hunger Games? For one, the hype. I'll admit, I got sucked into the hype. Second, the girl on fire with mad bow and arrow skills = my kind of gal. But what I didn't like was finding myself sobbing by page 24 and balling my eyes out by page 40 to the point where words looked like they were swimming on the page. And guess what happend on page 235? The crying thing again. I was stressed out from the first chapter all the way to the last.

Therefore, I know if I go see the movie, I'm going to cry and I don't like to cry. (some people do - they are strange to me). Plus, (SA) I don't want to see Rue die, AGAIN! Why would you want to go through that a second time? I know the first thing I'd think of when seeing Rue appear on screen, No! You're too young to die! Not sir, not me, not going to see that again. Seeing a vampire get his/her head ripped off their body, no problem...but (SA) sweet little Rue getting impaled with a spear, no.

While I cannot deny how well Suzanne Collins crafted her novel, it's obvious I'll not be reading the rest in the series. Besides, I've cheeted and have read reviews of the next two books and I'm dissapointed in the way things turn out. Nonetheless, a lot can be said about a book that is pretty much heart wrenching from beginning to end and yet, I still could not put it down. Most books like that I do put down. I have no qualms about snapping a book shut if it's too emotionally draining on me. So, I prefer to stay with my pseudo-happy ending after the first HG book and ignor the fact (SA) that Katniss is going to have to go back. She goes back?! And even though I liked the small changes seen in the trailers, (Cinna secretly giving Katniss the pin before the games was better than what's described in the book, IMO.) I will not go see the movie, either.

However, I am curious and will be looking forward to reading everyones reviews and feedback on the movie since I'm going to be about the only one on the planet sitting this one out. Enjoy the popcorn, bring tissues.